In a significant development within the investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the phone tapping case, new evidence has emerged shedding light on the involvement of IPS officers in the movement of cash during a prior bye-election.
The revelation regarding the phone tapping issue surfaced during the SIT’s examination of a case filed by the Special Intelligence Branch (SIB) concerning the destruction of evidence. Throughout the investigation process, fresh evidence implicating police officers in the illicit transfer of funds has surfaced. Specifically, it was disclosed that an officer ranked DSP, in conjunction with an IPS officer, played a role in these activities. Additionally, it was suggested that several other high-ranking police officials were complicit.
Reports indicate that the team led by IPS officers oversaw the cash distribution per their directives. Presently, the focus of the SIT investigation appears to be primarily on gathering evidence related to the involvement of the IPS officer. However, a more comprehensive inquiry could potentially unveil the roles played by other high-ranking individuals.
Based on the evidence currently available to the SIT, it has been established that a Toyota Fortuner vehicle was utilized for the unlawful transfer of cash to the BRS candidate during the bye-election held on November 3, 2022. This conclusion was drawn from the testimony of a constable who provided escort to the vehicle.
The constable, assigned to the Nalgonda task force, testified before the SIT, detailing his role as an escort under the supervision of the DSP and the IPS officer. Describing the sequence of events to the SIT, the constable revealed that cash transactions occurred nightly for seven days.
This account was corroborated by two other constables in their statements.
In his deposition to the SIT, the constable stated, “Under the directives of the IPS officer and the DSP, I accompanied them. From October 26, 2022, to November 2, I served as an escort for the Fortuner vehicle during the night. Cash intended for the TRS candidate was transferred in the same vehicle. During the public meeting on October 31, the then Chief Minister introduced me to a police officer, representing him as an additional SP with close ties to KCR. He informed me that we would be facilitating cash transfers according to his instructions. Subsequently, I learned that the said police officer was Naini Bhujangarao, implicated in the phone tapping case.”
